Three hydraulic lifting stages self-propelled crane which may be mounted

ABSTRACT

A self propelled crane is provided having three separate but cooperating lifting stages. The three stages are independently actuatable. At maximum height the components of the crane do not extend beyond the perimeter of the bearing points of the base. Two nacelles are included in the crane for supporting operators.

United States Patent 1 1 Tranchero [4 1 Jan. 2, 1973 [s41 THREE HYDRAULIC LIFTING STAGES 3,132,718 5/1964 Pierce ..1s2 2 ELF.PR()PELLED RANE WHICH 3,166,153 1/1965 Reed ..182/2 MAY BE MOUNTED 3,470,980 10/1969 Irwin ..182/2 1 3,483,948 12/1969 Trump ..l82/2 [76] Inventor: Jacques Tranchero, V1a V1llanonetta Fiasco Italy Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado [22] Filed: April 8, 1971 Attorney-Clario Ceccon 21 A 1. No.: 132 377 l 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Pri rity D t A self propelled crane is provided having three separate but cooperating lifting stages. The three Apnl8,1970 ltaly ..68170 A/70 stages are independently actuatable- At maximum 52 us. c1 ..1s2 2 height the extend 51 1111. C1. ..B66fl1/04 beymd the mimeter bearing the 58 Field of Search ..1s2/2; 212/59, 55 base- TWO nacelles are included in the crane for pporting operators. [561 Relmnces 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,100,025 8/1963 Shennum ..182/2 THREE HYDRAULIC LIFTING STAGES SELF- PROPELLED CRANE WHICH MAY BE MOUNTED The use of cranes, mounted on motor vehicles and utilizing hydraulic jacks capable of controlling the movement of the arm at which end various members are alternatively applied to accomplish the various possibilities of use of the assembly, is known.

The main object of present invention is to provide in the specific field of the lifting apparatus mounted on motor vehicles and/or self propelled vehicles, a crane of limited dimensions, capable of reaching remarkable heights and suitable to satisfy the requirements of a plurality of uses connected to services concerning the electric lines; antifire services; services in the aeronautical field and any other requiring the rapid lifting up to 30 meters from the ground, and more. The present invention also relates to a device including; one or two nacelles having a horizontal bottom and suitable for supporting two operators and the equipment necessary to effect the works at such a height or lower.

Another object of present invention is the construction of a crane of the aforesaid type which, without any pre-assembly and/or disassembly operation of auxiliary members, is always in condition to reach rapidly the maximum lift height or any other intermediate height, within its maximum development and the minimum height in its rest condition with the articulated assembly of its arms completely withdrawn.

A further object achieved by providing the crane according to the invention is the restraint, within limited dimensions, in rest condition, of the size of the machine which may be favorably mounted on the chassis of a transport motor vehicle.

Having in view the stated objects, the crane according to the invention is characterized in that it is supported by a bearing plate whose base comprises a pair of superimposed disks; the lower disk is firmly mounted on the chassis of the motor vehicle-trolley or other selfpropelled means, with its axis disposed vertically with respect to the vehicle plane; the other disk, superimposed and rotatably mounted with respect to the first disk is integral with a rugged fork shaped vertical projection within which is pivoted, with respect to same projection, the base of a hydraulic cylinder formingthe lifting member forthe first stage of the crane. Said first stage is formed by a set of auto-compensating binate levers presenting one end pivoted to the fork branches and the other end pivoted on the ends of intermediate binate levers which with their opposed ends are pivoted on another set of levers actuable in a lifting movement by means of a second hydraulic jack; a third stage is further articulated on the second stage and comprises a third hydraulic jack and relative linkages whose free ends carry the lifting members of the crane, e.g., one or a pair of nacelles with a horizontal bottom.

A further particular feature of the crane according to the invention resides in the fact that during the movement imposed tothe three stages forming the crane, both in the lifting and in the lowering phase of the stages, the different sets of levers move within the volume of an ideal prism whose base is defined by the ground bearing stable pointsof the transporting vehicle of said crane, giving to the lifting unit the greatest sta bility, for any liftingposition.

More clear features of said crane will result from the following specification referring to the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the crane according to the invention an;

FIG. 2, in a different scale, illustrates one of the many structural variations of said crane, in a side view.

It must be stated before hand that FIGS. 1 and 2 of I the drawings, illustrate the crane schematically and in a side view and therefore they allow the identification of only one 'lever of each pair of parallel levers forming may be replaced by various different members or devices, in relation with the use requirements of the lift, and it may also be mounted at the upper end of the levers forming the second lifting stage, eliminating the third stage.

To the vehicle A chassis is firmly coupled the base 1 provided with the bearing plate means 2, 3 rotating around its axis through more than 360. The fork support 4 is integral to the upper rotating section 3 of the bearing plate means and on the fork support are articulated:

At the base of the hydraulic cylinder 5 with telescopic piston 6, a;

At 7a, the ends of a pair of parallel levers 7;

At 8a, apair of parallel levers 8.

The central arm 9, formed by coupled parallel levers, presents the end 9a articulated on the end of lever 7 opposed to 7a and a second articulation at 9b engaging the vertex of the triangular end 8b of levers 8. The free endof piston 6a is engaged, through a pair of linkages 24 and a double articulation 6b, at about one-third of the length of the pair of levers9, forming the central arm. Further, the second vertex 8c of the triangular end 8b of the pair of levers 8, is articulated to one end of a pair of levers 10 which are articulated by their opposed ends at 11a to the telescopic column 11, 11b.

The hydraulic cylinder 12, with piston 13, is mountedwith its axis parallel to column 11, 11b and presents its base articulated at 11c on ears I4 integral to the base of column 11, while the end of piston 13 is articulated at 15a in the middle of bracket 15 integral with the freeend of member 1 lb of column 11.

The central arm 9 may also be formed as a single body instead of the two'parallel levers; in thiscase, its end 9d articulated at on column 11 is fork shaped and is large enough to allow the easy movement of same column, of cylinder 12 and of articulation 16a formed between ears 17 of column 11 and one end of tie rod 16 which with its opposed end is articulated at 16b on one of the ends ofthe pair of angle lever 18, 18a. The first section 18: of said levers is articulated at 18b on bracket 15, while the ends of section 18a are articulated at 19a on, the angle support 19.

A pair of tie rods25, with the, ends respectively articulated at 15c, on bracket 15e and at 19b to support 19, co-operates with levers 18, 18a. l

The base of the cylinder (not shown) of a third hydraulic jack is articulated on support 19 and the stem end of its piston 23 is articulated at 20a on a pair of levers 20 presenting in turn one end articulated at 190 to the end of support 19 and the opposed end articulated at 200 on terminal support 21. A second pair of levers 22 co-operates with the pair of levers 20 and present their ends respectively articulated at 21a, on the sides of terminal support 21 and at 19d on support 19.

In the embodiment represented byway of a non limiting example, the nacelle B which may be replaced by any other member or device suitable or necessary to co-operate with the crane, is firmly coupled to support 21.

Tha pairs of levers or arms 20, 22 are preferably telescopic and hence adjustable in length by means of mechanical devices, directly controlled and independent from the crane operation.

From the description heretofore stated it is clear that the three hydraulic jacks, 5, 6, 6a, l2, l3 and 22 characterize the three operating stages of the crane; said jacks are fed independently but simultaneously and, for each of them, there is provided the use of a safety hydraulic brake.

The operation of the crane according to the invention is the following:

starting from the rest position, represented by full lines on FIG. 1 and feeding simultaneously or with a close time succession the three hydraulic jacks in the order: 5, 6, 6a; 12, 13; 22, the initial lifting action is developed by the thrust of jack 5, 6, 6a which by reacting at 4x on base 4, discharges on links 24 actuating the lifting of arm 9 with a compound movement deriving from vertical and angular components. In effect, the thrust of said jack causes also the actuation, with an angular movement, of the pairs of levers 7 and 8 and hence the angular movement of the pair of levers 10 and the vertical lifting of columns 11, 11b.

Considering, therefore, this lifting movement phase of the assembly, or the lowering phase of same, the characteristic displacement movement on the vertical plane imposed to column 11, 11b whose axis remains vertical in any moment of the movement, is evident.

At same time, jack 12, 13 develops in length the same telecopic column 11, 11b which causes the angular movement of levers 16, 18, 18a, tie rods 25 and support 19 as well as the pairs of levers 20, 22 which lift the nacelle B or any other member or load carried by the terminal stage.

By actuating the jack which controls the piston 23 it is possible to lengthen, within pre-established limits, the pairs of telecopic arms 20, 22 and to obtain therefore a further lifting of member B.

It is further possible to impose to the nacelle B or other terminal member or device, a plurality of positions in the space, different from the lifting position; some of said positions are indicated, by way of non limiting example, by B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6.

The assembly second lifting stage, operated by jack l2, 13 is characterized by the use of mechanically sliding telescopic column, operated by jack l2, 13 directly or hydraulically actuated, which through bracket causes the movement of levers 18, 18a and tie rods 25.

Further, in the articulation points 110, 19a it is provided for the mounting of hooks to lift any kind of loads.

It is obvious that the end of levers 20, 22 whether they are articulated to the nacelle B or on any other member or device, may be oriented the same in all the intermediate positions comprised between those of: minimum lifting Bl maximum lifting B6-minimum protruding arm B and maximum protruding arm B2.

According to the variant shown in FIG. 2, the lift apparatus, mounted as an example on trolley C, utilizes the first lifting stage only and there is no bearing plate 2, 3. The hydraulic piston 5 base is articulated at 4x to a the trolley C base Cl while its stem 6 end discharges its thrust on arm 9 which has preferably a telescopic structure and carries, articulated at its end 9x the hunting member 30. Further, arm 10 is replaced by the hydraulic jack 3], 32 articulated at 8c to arm 8 and at 30a to the hunting member 30 which becomes hence controllable in the transverse position on the plane passing through arm 9 longitudinal axis. Base 4 integral with trolley C is replaced to base 4 which in the preceding embodiment is carried by the bearing plate; one of the ends of levers 8 pair is articulated with respect to the free end of base 4 at and the 0pposed end of levers 8 engages at 8c, as already stated, the hydraulic cylinder 31 end.

The end of arm 9 engages at 9a the end of levers 7 and at 9b the crank of the pair of levers 8.

Substantially, except for certain modifications which are not essential, with respect to the dimensions and outlines of the working levers, this variant uses the first stage of the crane shown on FIG. 1 and provides a machine capable of performances different from those of the first.

Because of the compensation provided by jack 31, 32 the load member 31 carried by the hunting arm 30 may be maintained constantly in the horizontal position during the lifting phase as well during the lowering phase.

The trolley C may be provided with an electric motor or an internal combustion engine for both the assembly transfer and for the feeding of the jack 5, 6 and 31, 32 pumps.

The variant shown in FIG. 2 is particularly suitable to provide a lift apparatus wherein the load member 31 assumes a fork structure.

It is obvious that the present invention is in no way limited to the arrangements described and illustrated and that, without departing from its scope the invention may be submitted to further improvements and possible variants dictated by the practice requirements.

Iclaim:

l. A self propelled crane which may be mounted on motor vehicles, comprising three hydraulic lifting stages, characterized in that the first stage comprising a hydraulic cylinder and relative piston, is articulated on the upper member of a bearing plate, whose lower member is integrally mounted on a supporting base of the motor vehicle; the upper member of the bearing plate being integral with a fork support onto which are articulated two systems of pairs of lever (7, 8) carrying at their free end a second system of pairs of lever (9, 10); to the ends of the second lifting stage being articulated a telescopic column actuable through a second hydraulic cylinder; said column (11, 11b) being terminally provided with a bracket (15) and further carrying by articulation a second system of pairs of levers (16, 18, 18a, 25); to the free ends of levers (25, 18a) being articulated a support (19) with respect to which is articulated a third hydraulic cylinder (23) as well as telescopic pairs of lever (20, 22) at whose free ends is finally articulated an operator support member.

2. Self propelled crane, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the condition of maximum vertical lifting all its members do not protrude beyond the perimeter defined by the bearing points of the base which supports it on the ground;

3. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the three lifting stages is independently actuatable from the others in order to cause the linkages forming the raisable support to assume different positions and heights.

4. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that the second and the third lifting stages are actuatable horizontally further than vertically relatively to the first, lifting stage while the third stage is actuatable horizontal y relatively to the second stage.

5. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting column of the second stage (11, 11b) is telescopically extensible by the cooperating action of a hydraulic cylinder (12, 13) while its elements slide mechanically relatively to each other.

6. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting column of the second stage (11, 11b) is telescopically extensible in length and is hydraulically directly actuatable.

7. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the first stage comprises two pairs of levers (7, 8), one pair of which (8) is provided with a square end relatively to which are articulated the pairs of levers of stage (7) as well as tie rods pairs (10) cooperating together with pairs of levers (9) to the vertical stability of the column (11, 11b).

8. Self propelled crane according to claim-1 characterized in that in the completely lowered condition its articulations allows the crane to assume a completely turned positionupon the supporting base, with the supporting column (11, 11b) for the second stage in a ver-' 10. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that the supporting bearing plate (2, 3) having its lower member (2) firmly anchored totthe supporting base (A) of the motor vehicle presents its upper member (3) and the fork support (4) completely free to rotate through more than 360 in order to give to the crane an analogous rotation autonomy. 

1. A self propelled crane which may be mounted on motor vehicles, comprising three hydraulic lifting stages, characterized in that the first stage comprising a hydraulic cylinder and relative piston, is articulated on the upper member of a bearing plate, whose lower member is integrally mounted on a supporting base of the motor vehicle; the upper member of the bearing plate being integral with a fork support onto which are articulated two systems of pairs of lever (7, 8) carrying at their free end a second system of pairs of lever (9, 10); to the ends of the second lifting stage being articulated a telescopic column actuable through a second hydraulic cylinder; said column (11, 11b) being terminally provided with a bracket (15) and further carrying by articulation a second system of pairs of levers (16, 18, 18a, 25); to the free ends of levers (25, 18a) being articulated a support (19) with respect to which is articulated a third hydraulic cylinder (23) as well as telescopic pairs of lever (20, 22) at whose free ends is finally articulated an operator support member.
 2. Self propelled crane, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the condition of maximum vertical lifting all its members do not protrude beyond the perimeter defined by the bearing points of the base which supports it on the ground.
 3. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the three lifting stages is independently actuatable from the others in order to cause the linkages forming the raisable support to assume different positions and heights.
 4. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that the second and the third lifting stages are actuatable horizontally further than vertically relatively to the first, lifting stage while the third stage is actuatable horizontal y relatively to the second stage.
 5. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting column of the second stage (11, 11b) is telescopically extensible by the cooperating action of a hydraulic cylinder (12, 13) while its elements slide mechanically relatively to eacH other.
 6. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting column of the second stage (11, 11b) is telescopically extensible in length and is hydraulically directly actuatable.
 7. Self propelled crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the first stage comprises two pairs of levers (7, 8), one pair of which (8) is provided with a square end relatively to which are articulated the pairs of levers of stage (7) as well as tie rods pairs (10) cooperating together with pairs of levers (9) to the vertical stability of the column (11, 11b).
 8. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that in the completely lowered condition its articulations allows the crane to assume a completely turned position upon the supporting base, with the supporting column (11, 11b) for the second stage in a vertical position.
 9. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that the linkages forming its lifting frame are arranged in such a manner that for any lifting range, the supporting column of the second stage (11, 11a) and support (19) of the third stage keep the position with the axes placed vertically and the same occurs for any lowering phase of the assembly.
 10. Self propelled crane according to claim 1 characterized in that the supporting bearing plate (2, 3) having its lower member (2) firmly anchored to the supporting base (A) of the motor vehicle presents its upper member (3) and the fork support (4) completely free to rotate through more than 360* in order to give to the crane an analogous rotation autonomy. 